Bullet shield for firearms



m 29, 1942. A. MENDEL 2,306,708

' BULLET-SHIELD FOR FIREARMS Filed Dec. 17. 1940 AFW i Patented Dec. 29, 1942 A S i h'i r tries 7 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in bulletshields for fire arms, particularly to improvements in bullet-shields for rifles.

One object of my invention is a bullet-shield which is steadily attached to a fire arm and can be easily brought either into an effective position or a rest position by the person using the fire arm and which consists of few parts simple in construction.

Another object of my invention is a collapsible bullet-shield which in its open or eifective position protects the vital parts, particularly the head and the shoulders of a soldier using the rifle by stopping missiles or deflecting them and which in its folded or rest position does not interfere with the carrying and handling of the rifle.

Another object of my invention is to attach the bullet-shield to the rifle in such a manner that the bullet-shield when folded is substantially flush with the surface of the rifle stock. I obtain this by arranging the shield in a recess of the rifle stock which conceals the shield in its folded position and out of which it can be swung into its effective position.

Another object of my invention is to secure that the bullet-shield is immediately ready for use in an emergency. I obtain this by providing means which tend to force the shield into its raised position and other means for holding the shield in its rest position until released.

Other and further objects and advantages of my invention will be hereinafter set forth the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims. It is to be noted that minor changes in the arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the principle of the operation of the Various parts of the shield.

In the accompanying drawing an embodiment of my invention is shown.

Fig. 1 shows the side view of a conventional l army rifle provided with a bullet-shield according to my invention.

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the stock of rifle and of the bullet-shield according to my invention on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of Fig. 2 along line 3-3.

Fig. 4 shows a side view of segments of a bulletshield according to my invention on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 shows a cross-section of Fig. 4 along line 5-5, and

Fig. 6 shows a front view of the rifle with the shield held by a soldier.

Fig. 1 shows a conventional army rifle comprising a barrel I and a stock or butt 2. However, my invention is not limited to army rifles but can be used for any suitable type of fire arms. According to my invention the bullet-shield is arranged in a recess 4 provided in stock 2. In the embodiment shown the recess is on the upper side of the stock. However, it is equally possible to provide the recess in the side-Walls of stock 2. The walls of the recess may or may not be lined with a casing 6. This casing consists preferably of sheet metal and is flt in in such a manner that it can be easily replaced together with the shield if such necessity arises.

The bullet-shield itself consists of a number of segments 1. The material used for these segments is preferably a hard steel or any other metal or hard alloy which is suitable to stop or deflect bullets. Instead of metal it is also possi ble to use bullet-proof glass. Segments I are pivotably arranged on a pivot 8 so that a fan-like shield is formed which can be folded and unfolded. The width and length of this shield in its folded position are approximately corresponding to the width and length of an individual segment. The number of segments should be so great that the shield in its unfolded position is broad enough to protect the head and part of the shoulders of the soldier using the rifle; I found it preferable to give the unfolded shield the shape of approximately a quadrant. The segments are preferably arranged to overlap each other when unfolded. They are guided and held together by means of a pin 9 on each segment. Each of these pins 9 is guided by an elongated slot l U in the adjoining segment. Pivot 8 which serves as a pivot and carrier for the segments is carried by a socket H. The shape of this socket is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. As shown in these figures the segments are guided and supported by the side walls of socket II. The socket itself is pivotably arranged within recess 4 by means of an axle I2 which is passed through a corresponding boring l3 of socket H. Axle I2 may consist of a bolt having a head I5 and a threaded counter-head M which secures the axle within the boring of stock 2. Socket H is fixed on axle l2 which is rotatable in stock 2. However, it is also possible to secure axle l2 in any other suitable manner to stock 2. It is only essential for my invention that socket II which carries the bullet-shield is pivotably arranged within the recess itself. In order to facilitate the opening of the bullet-shield a coil spring I5 is arranged on axle l2. The end 11 of this spring is secured to stock 2 and the other end to axle [2 by any suitable means for instance by passing the end of the spiral through a hole in axle l2. This spring tends to turn socket I I with segments 7 into the position shown in Fig. 1 which is the effective position of the bullet-shield. In this position the larger part of the shield is on the side of the rifle where the head of the soldier is. This protects the head and also the left shoulder, particularly in a prone position. The right shoulder does not need so much protection since it is taken back in the aiming position. The bullet-shield can be secured in its raised position by an arm l8 which is pivotably connected by a pivot pin 9 with stock 2. Arm l8 can be hooked into a slot 2!! provided in one of the segments I. Instead of arm i8 any other means for supporting the shield in its raised position may be provided.

In order to hold the bullet-shield in its lower position when the shield is not to be used a catch-lever 20 may be provided which is rotatab-ly arranged on pivot 2|. Instead of a pivotable lever 2?) any other suitable means for securing the shield in its lower position may be provided.

In order to enable a person using the rifle to aim when an opaque material for the shield is used vertical and horizontal sighting slots 22 are provided in some of segments 1 as indicated in Fig. 4.

When the bullet-shield is not to be used the soldier will fold the segments forming the bulletshield together so that they are piled up one upon the other. Then after releasing support arm it the entire parcel is pressed down into recess i and secured in this position by swinging catch-lever 23 into its efiective position in which it is catching the segments. When the shield is to be used, the soldier releases the segments by turning catch-lever 2B. The spring 16 will snap segments i into their raised or effective position. With a second grip the soldier will open the shield and bring support arm I8 into position.

I do not wish my invention to be limited to the embodiment shown and described. Various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A fire arm including a stock provided with a recess, in combination with a collapsible bulletshield arranged to be inserted into said recess in its collapsed condition and a pivot for said shield provided within said recess for swinging said shield into said recess and out of it.

2. A fire arm including a stock provided with a recess in combination with a fan-shaped bulletshield consisting of individual segments, a common pivot for said segments and an axle of rotation for said bullet-shield arranged within said recess and attached to said stock for swinging said shield into and out of said recess.

3. A fire arm including a stock provided with a recess, in combination with a fan-shaped bullet-shield consisting of individual segments, a common pivot for said segments, an axle of rotation for said bullet-shield arranged within said recess and attached to said stock for swinging said shield into and out of said recess, means tending to swing said bullet-shield from its lowor position within the recess into its raised position and means for securing said bullet-shield in its lowered position.

4. A fire arm including a stock provided with a recess, in combination with a fan-shaped bullet-shield consisting of individual segments, a common pivot for said segments, an axle of rotation for said bullet-shield arranged within said recess and attached to said stock for swinging said shield into and out of said recess, a spring operatively connected with said axle of rotation tending to swing said bullet-shield from its lower position within the recess into its raised position and a pivotable catch-lever for holding said bullet-shield in its lower position within the recess against the strength of said spring.

5. A fire arm including a stock; provided with a recess, in combination with a fan-shaped bullet-shield consisting of individual segments, a common pivot for said segments, an axle of rotation for said bullet-shield arranged within said recess and attached to said stool: for swinging said shield into and out of said recess, means tending to swing said bullet-shield from its lower position within said recess into its raised position, means for securing said bullet-shield in its lowered position and means for securing said bulletshield in its raised position.

6. A fire arm including a stock provided with a recess, in combination with a fan-shaped bulletshield consisting of individual segments, a common pivot for said segments, an axle of rotation for said bullet-shield arranged in said recess and attached to said stock for swinging said shield into and out of said recess, a spring operatively connected with said axle of rotation tending to swing said bullet-shield from its lower position within the recess into its raised position, a pivotable catch-lever for holding said bullet-shield in its lower position within the recess against the strength of said spring, and an arm for securing the said bullet-shield in its raised position.

7. A fire arm including a stock provided with a recess, in combination with a casing lining said recess, a fan-like bullet-shield comprising several segments adapted to be inserted into said recess, a socket for supporting said segments, a pivot provided on said socket for supporting said segments for folding and expanding said bulletshield, an axle inserted into said recess for carrying said socket, a spring operatively connected with said axle and said stock for swinging said socket from the position in which said segments rest within said recess into a raised position, a pivotable lever for securing said segments in their lower position and an arm pivotably connected with said stock for securing said segments in their raised position.

ALFRED MENDEL. 

